Justifying a cost of a diesel

[OrangeToys]

I pull a trailer on a daily basis filling up my Silverado 2500HD 6.0 every 2-3 says getting 7-8mpg. I'm trying to figure out if a diesel truck for the cost of fuel and the motor (when buying new $7-8k) is going to worth it for. Is there a formula that I can use to show the numbers?

 

[schmism]

what part of MO? flatland central MO or ozarks hills MO?

if hills i dont think you can beat the pulling torque of diesel.

 

[SageBrush]

I still have my old 12 valve Cummins for a reason. Every time I get a newer model I lose fuel economy and the new trucks are higher maintenance. The 24 valve gets 14 mpg when my old 12 valve gets 19 mpg and has more power from mods. The Duramax is thirsty IMO, had three in the family, all had injector issues. The new Dodges also have the injector issues every 100K or so. Haven't looked at Fords in years, the 6.0 back in 2003 soured me on Ford diesels.

I would suggest a good used stock diesel truck. Do research and get the best of the bunch for the brand.

The reason I drive diesel trucks is the POWER. I have two 3500 duallys and a gas powered version couldn't touch either. With my 3500 4x4 I can pull about 12K and still get 11 mpg or better. I could get 14 mpg pulling a 31' travel trailer, or 9 mpg pulling my 18K pound 40' 5th wheel. It varies, pulling my Kubota L4330 with a 6' cutter on the 14t flat deck is a 11 to 12 mpg happening if in town. Stop and go traffic kills the fuel level...

I always liked the Chevy with the large gas motor though, too bad they killed it off. That big block was a good bargain for RV pulling. The 9 mpg sucked though! I heavily lean towards a 305/555 vintage Dodge with the 6 speed, 4x4, 4.10 LS dually. Love our 2003.

 

[OrangeToys]

what part of MO? flatland central MO or ozarks hills MO?

if hills i dont think you can beat the pulling torque of diesel.

Ozarks, so I have hills

 

[OrangeToys]

I still have my old 12 valve Cummins for a reason. Every time I get a newer model I lose fuel economy and the new trucks are higher maintenance. The 24 valve gets 14 mpg when my old 12 valve gets 19 mpg and has more power from mods. The Duramax is thirsty IMO, had three in the family, all had injector issues. The new Dodges also have the injector issues every 100K or so. Haven't looked at Fords in years, the 6.0 back in 2003 soured me on Ford diesels.

I would suggest a good used stock diesel truck. Do research and get the best of the bunch for the brand.

The reason I drive diesel trucks is the POWER. I have two 3500 duallys and a gas powered version couldn't touch either. With my 3500 4x4 I can pull about 12K and still get 11 mpg or better. I could get 14 mpg pulling a 31' travel trailer, or 9 mpg pulling my 18K pound 40' 5th wheel. It varies, pulling my Kubota L4330 with a 6' cutter on the 14t flat deck is a 11 to 12 mpg happening if in town. Stop and go traffic kills the fuel level...

I always liked the Chevy with the large gas motor though, too bad they killed it off. That big block was a good bargain for RV pulling. The 9 mpg sucked though! I heavily lean towards a 305/555 vintage Dodge with the 6 speed, 4x4, 4.10 LS dually. Love our 2003.

I don't dislike the motor just tired of 7mpg everyday

 

[hosspuller]

One can buy a boat load of gasoline for $7000. It all depends on your annual mileage to justifying the cost. Now if you just "want" the stink'n, clank'n & tow'n of a diesel buy what you can afford.

 

[OrangeToys]

One can buy a boat load of gasoline for $7000. It all depends on your annual mileage to justifying the cost. Now if you just "want" the stink'n, clank'n & tow'n of a diesel buy what you can afford.

I spend roughly $150-$200 a week in gas just on the truck.

 

[whistlepig]

At the price of diesel fuel these days I wouldn't consider a diesel powered truck a lesson in economics. Not to mention what the EPA is getting ready to do to the diesels. If you need the pulling or torque of a diesel in a truck or tractor it's a much better choice than gas. Diesel is thrifty not these days.

 

[WilliamBos]

At the price of diesel fuel these days I wouldn't consider a diesel powered truck a lesson in economics. Not to mention what the EPA is getting ready to do to the diesels. If you need the pulling or torque of a diesel in a truck or tractor it's a much better choice than gas. Diesel is thrifty not these days.

Guessing gas is still cheap down there?

I will never own a gas hd truck, diesel or nothing. They will pencil out, even with DEF, still cheaper than a gas HD.

 

[Leejohn]

If you have more power then you need, do like mfg's do to meet the gas milsage on cars. To meet the gpm they add more junk on the engine trying to meet it and then can't, so they just put bigger tires on. By 2015 if things keep going the way they are cars are going to be running tractor tires.